About WFN

Page Content

THE WORLD FEDERATION OF NEUROLOGY'S (WFN) MISSION IS TO FOSTER QUALITY NEUROLOGY AND BRAIN HEALTH WORLDWIDE.

The World Federation of Neurology was formed in Brussels in 1957, as an association of national neurological societies. Today WFN represents 117 professional national societies in all regions of the world, and each society registers its own individual member neurologists with us. The delegates, one from each national society, elect the trustees and officers.

The mission of the WFN, as a UK registered charity, is to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide, a goal we seek to achieve by promoting global neurological education and training, with the emphasis placed firmly on under-resourced parts of the world. The WFN holds biennial world congresses, which rotate throughout the regions (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe) of the world. The congress consists of scientific sessions, teaching courses as well as structural and business meetings. The next congress following Chile (2015) will be in Kyoto, Japan 2017.

Education, improvement of neurologic sciences and knowledge are the main aims of the WFN. For this reason several programs such as Junior travelling grants, departmental visits, international courses, WFN -teaching centers, grants to fund local projects, and a joint CME program with the American Academy of Neurology are currently provided.

The joint AAN WFN CME Program (Continuum) is offered to many countries where there is a need for neurological educational material especially in those with limited resources. To date there are 45 countries participating in the program. Through this training, neurological teams globally have enhanced their skills as well as being made aware of new techniques, best practices to guide patient care.

The WFN encourages the empowerment of local and regional activities through cooperation with the six regional Neurological associations: the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology (AOAN), the Pan American Federation of Neurological Societies (PAFNS), the Pan Arab Union of Neurological Societies (PAUNS) and the newly founded African Academy of Neurology (AFAN).

Brain health is the main goal of all the WFN activities and in order to achieve this, the WFN coordinates the World Brain Alliance (WBA) which includes the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), the World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR), the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA), the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and the WHO. Working together is crucial to achieve our intertwined goals.

The development of neurology has created several specialist societies, such as the World Stroke Organization, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, the International League Against Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis International, Alzheimer’s Disease International, the International Headache Society, and the Peripheral Nerve Society among others. The WFN is committed and delighted in cooperating with them all.

The WFN has led in the development of the new WHO ICD 11, and is actively contributing to the second edition of the WHO Neurology Atlas. The WFN is an active partner in the campaign to control and manage the neurological aspects of NCD through close collaboration with the WHO.

The WFN has several committees which are dedicated to assisting the WFN with specific tasks such as education, research groups, membership, publications, and finance and congress organization. These committees are created from members from all parts of the world and they provide crucial help to the WFN in order to serve its needs and activities.

The WFN has a website​, social media (Facebook, Twitter) an electronic magazine WN (available on the website), and two scientific journals; the Journal of the Neurological Sciences and eNeurological Sci. The WFN is eager to promote neurology worldwide, and to improve prevention and diagnosis management for patients. Please look out for WFN activities on the website and in the social media.